iOS 18.1 Beta 3 Released: Global Launch of Apple’s Smart Features Set for September

Since the release of iOS 18.1 Beta 3, some iPhone users outside the United States can access Apple’s intelligent features, albeit with a few required adjustments. However, users in China and the EU are still unable to utilize these features and must change their keyboard and Siri language to American English.

Apple announced its intelligent features in June, debuting them in the iOS 18 beta for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPads and Macs equipped with M1 or newer system-on-chip (SoC) models. Initially, these features were limited to U.S. users, requiring international iOS beta testers to log in with a U.S. Apple ID and set their region and language to American English.

According to 9to5Mac, the release of iOS 18.1 Beta 3 has lifted most regional restrictions, but users in China and the EU still lack access to these AI capabilities. Reports suggest that when the intelligent features officially launch later this year, they will bypass the EU entirely due to significant impacts from the Digital Markets Act, which could result in fines of up to €30 billion for Apple.

While Apple’s intelligent features are now available to users outside the U.S., many functionalities still require devices to be set to American English for optimal performance. This suite of tools includes AI-driven Siri assistance, writing aids, image editing capabilities, and image generation tools, with support for various application integrations through APIs.

The official rollout of Apple’s intelligent features is expected to take place in October as part of the iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia updates. Currently, users can explore these capabilities in the iOS 18.1 Beta version on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.